Rise of the Gryphon by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love Page A

point.”
    Imogenia became very still.
    Evalle pressed her slight advantage. “Seems like you’d know where to get a bone if you were all set on entering Bernie. If you can’t tell me how to get into TÅμr Medb and you don’t have a bone, we’re at a stalemate for a satisfied deal.”
    Imogenia spent the next few seconds stewing until her mask lit up, a bright, blinding white. When her mask settled down to a soft glow, she released a stream of air from between clenched teeth and said, “I have a Volonte.”
    “Where?”
    “Here.”
    No way. This was too good. “Show it to me.”
    Imogenia raised her forearm that sported an armbandwoven of gold and bronze threads. It smelled old and strangely alluring.
    Evalle and Storm leaned forward at the same time. A small bone that could be from the tip of a man’s pinky finger had been caught inside a web of crisscrossed bronze threads.
    Sounding more like a witch in control, Imogenia said, “Make me a worthy trade and I’ll give you the bone if you’ll declare this deal satisfied.”
    “What do you want?”
    “A strand of hair.”
    Storm’s jaw flexed against the “ No ” Evalle knew he wanted to shout. She laughed at Imogenia, making it clear she thought the suggestion stupid. “As if I’d give you something you can use against me?”
    “I use hair for many things. It’s not always about the donor.”
    “Tell you what. I’ll give you something better.”
    “Such as?”
    “The name of a witch in your coven who wants to take over and intends to use you for a blood sacrifice to do it.”
    The witch’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You’re lying.”
    “No, I’m not, Imogenia ,” Evalle emphasized. “I’ll prove it. In your last Carretta Coven meeting, one of your witches sacrificed the wrong animal. A wolf you had other plans for.”
    “How could you—”
    “Let’s not waste time asking who told me that orhow I know your name. I needed something to trade for information that I heard you had on Tristan and the Medb. Do you have anything else to tell me about those two?”
    “No.”
    Evalle checked Storm, who lifted his chin, confirming the witch wasn’t jerking Evalle around. She turned back to Imogenia. “I’ll make a final offer. You hand over the bone. I give you the witch’s name. We call it even. Bernie leaves with you.”
    “Agreed.”
    Storm asked, “How will you get your Alterant into the ABC?”
    Imogenia smiled. “I have a source. Now, I want that traitor’s name.” Fury seething in Imogenia’s eyes this time was clearly for the traitor.
    “The bone first.”
    “This armband must be given and accepted. You have to want the Volonte. Do you want it, and do you accept possession once I take it off?”
    Storm growled in aggravation, but Evalle rolled her eyes and said, “Yes. Can we get on with this?”
    “Your arm must be free of tattoos, piercings, jewelry, anything from the elbow to your fingers.” When Evalle shoved her sleeve back, showing that she had nothing but bare arm, Imogenia lifted her arm and whispered, “I am gifting you to another. Release.” The armband unclasped, dropping into the witch’s waiting hand.
    Evalle held out her palm to accept the jewelry.
    Imogenia slapped the armband on Evalle’s forearm, and the clasp clicked shut.
    Storm moved as fast as a thrown dagger, grabbing the witch by her throat. He lifted her off the ground. “Get it off of her now !”
    Everything around Evalle blurred at the edges.
    Imogenia flailed her arms, eyes bulging. She squeezed out, “She . . . she . . .”
    Evalle stared at the band locked on her arm and had the strangest relaxed sensation, as if nothing was an issue. She didn’t feel any tingling or power sensation, just a sense that all channels were open and flowing in her body.
    A gurgling noise drew her attention from the armband to Imogenia’s mouth, which was pulsing like that of a fish out of water gasping for air.
    Evalle shook her head and everything